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Is it possible for Adderall XR (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) at a dosage of 20 mg can exacerbate trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) or dermatillomania (compulsive picking at skin)?

Both trichotillomania and dermatillomania are by definition behavioral tics. Tics are repetitive behaviors that have no purpose. Stimulants (Adderall and other medications for ADHD are stimulants) have been demonstrated to exacerbate tics. As such, they could certainly exacerbate either one of the two conditions you mention.

However, it is not always the case that stimulants worsen tics. In some research on this subject, the effect of stimulants has been found to be neutral. It appears to be different for each, individual person.

If this is a problem for you or someone you know, it should be addressed with the prescribing physician by experimenting with different doses as well as placebos and tracking the behavioral response.

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